Ruby red Mississippi left in lurch by Trump-gutted FEMA

[torbee]

While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance​

Mississippi’s request for federal disaster assistance is pending more than two months after 18 tornadoes ripped through the state. Walthall county’s emergency manager says debris removal operations have stopped and people who need help aren’t getting enough. (AP video by Sophie Bates)

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Brian Lowery stands before what remains of his home, which was ripped apart by a tornado, in Tylertown, Miss., on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Sophie Bates)



By SOPHIE BATES
Updated 9:32 AM CDT, May 20, 2025

TYLERTOWN, Miss. (AP) — More than two months after a tornado destroyed his home, Brian Lowery still looks through the rubble, hoping to find a tie clip his mother gave him, made from the center stone of her wedding band.

“I still have hope,” Lowery said.

He, his wife and 13-year-old son made it to safety before the tornado ripped apart their trailer home of 15 years, but the recovery from the storm has been a slow and painful process. Mississippi’s request for federal aid is still pending before the Federal Emergency Management Agency, meaning badly needed assistance has not yet made it to his hard-hit community of Tylertown to recover from the storms that struck in mid-March.

The delays could provide a glimpse into what’s in store for communities around the country as the summer storm season arrives and FEMA is mired in turmoil. A stretch of states including Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma have already been battered with tornadoes this week, setting the stage for more disaster requests to FEMA. And the Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner.

While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance

Mississippi’s request for federal disaster assistance is pending more than two months after 18 tornadoes ripped through the state.

apnews.com

March storms left 7 dead and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged​

In Mississippi, nearly 20 tornadoes tore through the state on March 14 and 15, leaving seven people dead and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged. Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves asked the Trump administration for a major disaster declaration on April 1. The state, and residents like Lowery, are still waiting.

The declaration would allow the state to access a wide range of FEMA resources, including financial aid for individuals and for government agencies still removing debris and repairing infrastructure.

“I don’t know what you got to do or what you got to have to be able to be declared for a federal disaster area because this is pretty bad,” Lowery said. “We can’t help you because, whatever, we’re waiting on a letter; we’re waiting on somebody to sign his name. You know, all that. I’m just over it.”

 

[MitchLL]

Trump doesn't care one iota.

 

[LunchBox50]

Mississippi's gotta be tired of all the #winning.

 

[TC Nole OX]

FAFO

 

[BioHawk]

Trump doesn't care one iota.

The sacrifices people must make to make sure those billionaires get their tax cuts.

 

[Jerome Silberman]

Trump doesn't care one iota.

I think it goes beyond that. The GOP wants it gone and has been actively laying groundwork for people to support it's demise under the faulty understanding that there is/are entities that can fill the gap in more efficient manner.

Unfortunately, once it's been broken enough there will be no bringing it back and we will be back to the era of emergency services for those that can afford it and unnecessary pain for those that cannot(which is pretty much all of us).

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

At this point I've just come to appreciate the unified messaging.

 

[tumorboy]

Needs to call Brett Farve. He’ll help.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

At this point I've just come to appreciate the unified messaging.

The unified messaging of “we know you paid taxes for years for FEMA” but **** your request for help Americans?

 

[tumorboy]

In all seriousness there are about ten states in trouble. Either due to mismanagement, being overly reliant on oil, and federal spending.

Illinois
Louisiana
Alaska
Nevada
Alabama
Mississippi
Arkansas
Kentucky
West Virginia
Alaska

Going to be extra rough in these states in the next 5 years or so.

 

[Kelsers]

Trump doesn't care one iota.

In fairness, the moron Trump said he wants FEMA to stop helping and leave the costs up to the individual states.

 

[lucas80]

I think it goes beyond that. The GOP wants it gone and has been actively laying groundwork for people to support it's demise under the faulty understanding that there is/are entities that can fill the gap in more efficient manner.

Unfortunately, once it's been broken enough there will be no bringing it back and we will be back to the era of emergency services for those that can afford it and unnecessary pain for those that cannot(which is pretty much all of us).

They are breaking lots of things. Once broken they can point their fingers and say that clearly it's broken and needs to be dissolved, or absorbed into another agency.

 

[BioHawk]

In fairness, the moron Trump said he wants FEMA to stop helping and leave the costs up to the individual states.

Yeah, so f**k you. That's what he said.

 

[BioHawk]

They are breaking lots of things. Once broken they can point their fingers and say that clearly it's broken and needs to be dissolved, or absorbed into another agency.

And that government can't do anything right so you should never let government do anything. And when something bad happens, it isn't the fact that we dismantled the things to prevent that bad thing from happening, it's because some brown person was hired somewhere that caused the problem.

 

[NorthEndzoneCrew]

Look, we all sympathize….but weather affects everyone….and we taxpayers cannot be responsible for your misfortune!! This country used to be GREAT! We didn’t look for FEMA holding our hand out!! Trump is taking us back to that!! We’re all gonna take the medicine!!

MAGA!

 

[tumorboy]

Look, we all sympathize….but weather affects everyone….and we taxpayers cannot be responsible for your misfortune!! This country used to be GREAT! We didn’t look for FEMA holding our hand out!! Trump is taking us back to that!! We’re all gonna take the medicine!!

MAGA!

Better yet move.

 

[Chishawk1425]

While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance​

Mississippi’s request for federal disaster assistance is pending more than two months after 18 tornadoes ripped through the state. Walthall county’s emergency manager says debris removal operations have stopped and people who need help aren’t getting enough. (AP video by Sophie Bates)

2 of 3 |
Brian Lowery stands before what remains of his home, which was ripped apart by a tornado, in Tylertown, Miss., on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Sophie Bates)



By SOPHIE BATES
Updated 9:32 AM CDT, May 20, 2025

TYLERTOWN, Miss. (AP) — More than two months after a tornado destroyed his home, Brian Lowery still looks through the rubble, hoping to find a tie clip his mother gave him, made from the center stone of her wedding band.

“I still have hope,” Lowery said.

He, his wife and 13-year-old son made it to safety before the tornado ripped apart their trailer home of 15 years, but the recovery from the storm has been a slow and painful process. Mississippi’s request for federal aid is still pending before the Federal Emergency Management Agency, meaning badly needed assistance has not yet made it to his hard-hit community of Tylertown to recover from the storms that struck in mid-March.

The delays could provide a glimpse into what’s in store for communities around the country as the summer storm season arrives and FEMA is mired in turmoil. A stretch of states including Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma have already been battered with tornadoes this week, setting the stage for more disaster requests to FEMA. And the Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner.

While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance

Mississippi’s request for federal disaster assistance is pending more than two months after 18 tornadoes ripped through the state.

apnews.com

March storms left 7 dead and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged​

In Mississippi, nearly 20 tornadoes tore through the state on March 14 and 15, leaving seven people dead and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged. Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves asked the Trump administration for a major disaster declaration on April 1. The state, and residents like Lowery, are still waiting.

The declaration would allow the state to access a wide range of FEMA resources, including financial aid for individuals and for government agencies still removing debris and repairing infrastructure.

“I don’t know what you got to do or what you got to have to be able to be declared for a federal disaster area because this is pretty bad,” Lowery said. “We can’t help you because, whatever, we’re waiting on a letter; we’re waiting on somebody to sign his name. You know, all that. I’m just over it.”

So my FEMA thread is aging well

 

[MitchLL]

As climate change magnifies disasters, things will continue to spiral downward.

There will come a time when even Florida, with it's favorable tax laws and weather relief for retirees, will see a drop in "move ins".
Seems to me that States like AZ/CO/Utah will benefit the most as they seem somewhat isolated from natural disasters.

 

[torbee]

And that government can't do anything right so you should never let government do anything. And when something bad happens, it isn't the fact that we dismantled the things to prevent that bad thing from happening, it's because some brown person was hired somewhere that caused the problem.

 

[NDallasRuss]

Adding the obligatory "elections have consequences" reference.

Enough R voters wanted a smaller federal government, so they get it - even if they didn't mean the cuts would affect the things they actually need/use. So, the people in places like MS will rely on their state to make up the difference. If their state can't, then either the need will go un-met, or someone, somewhere, will have to recognize that there may be some things that the federal government is better at than the individual states - especially the really poor states.

 

[SIXERS24]

FEMA is experiencing low funds in the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), prompting the agency to implement Immediate Needs Funding (INF). This means FEMA is prioritizing lifesaving and life-sustaining activities, and pausing new obligations for certain grant programs like Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation until the DRF is replenished. FEMA is managing 614 major disaster declarations across the US.